Rotating training device for measuring kicking force

ABSTRACT

A training device for a person to practice kicking including a stationary base, platform, kicking target, and means for measuring the kicking force. The base is configured to be supported on a supporting surface and configured to remain stationary against the supporting surface. The platform is disposed above the base, rotatably coupled to the base about a rotation axis, and configured to support a person on a top side of the platform. The kicking target coupled to the platform, spaced from the rotation axis, and disposed on the top side of the platform. The platform and person both rotate in a direction about the rotation axis relative to the base after the person applies a kicking force to the kicking target.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to and is an improvement over a training device for kicking a soccer ball or football as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/190,000, published as 2016/0375334. The entire content of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/190,000 is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides players, who use the kicking device described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/190,000, with a means to measure their leg strength when kicking the kicking target (e.g., a simulated soccer ball) connected to the rotary kicking device. The present invention improves the training value to young players as well as experienced players, who can practice with the device to determine the leg strengths of their dominant leg and weaker leg. The strength of each leg kick is determined by the distance the platform rotates from the kicking force of the dominant leg or weaker leg against the stopping force of an adjustable braking mechanism. In addition, the strength of the kick is determined while the kicking target remains attached to the device such that the kicking target or ball does not have to be retrieved.

For most untrained young players, the natural way to power kick a soccer ball is with the toe of the dominant foot, or right foot for most kickers. The toe kick impacts the soccer ball below the center point of the ball, which lifts the ball off the ground resulting in a kicked ball that may fly too high for a teammate to control allowing the opportunity for the opposing team to gain control of the ball. The left foot is typically the weaker foot and seldom used to power kick or strike a soccer ball in a practice or game, and thus it is more difficult for players to build muscle memory to kick a soccer ball effectively for their weaker foot. The repetitive kicking action of the rotary device of the present invention teaches new soccer players to kick a soccer ball with the left and right foot, using proper kicking techniques, with the toe down and with the laces of the foot, and with the inside of the foot behind the big toe such that the ball would travel more accurately at or near ground level.

The rotary kicking device as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/190,000 comprises a braking mechanism and platform coupled to the topside of a stationary base. Two simulated soccer balls or kicking targets are connected to the top side of the platform, one ball on the left side and the second ball on the right, facing a player on the platform. A player who kicks with the right foot stands with the left foot located over the connecting bolt coupling the platform and stationary base together and kicks the ball with the right foot. The force of a right foot kick rotates the player and the platform a short distance in a counter clockwise direction, and a braking mechanism brings the platform to a controlled stop. Instructions from a kicking coach, who can receive kicking instructions from a DVD or digitally, trains the player using proper kicking techniques. A coach can also focus the attention of the young kicker during the practice sessions and make sure that the player practice kicks with both legs.

The force of an untrained player's kick rotates the platform with the player on top of the platform against the resistance force of the braking mechanism. The two forces working against each other can develop stronger muscles in both legs, with greater potential to kick a soccer ball which travels faster, than kicking a soccer ball into a net without a resistance force. The repetitive kicking with a ball mounted on the top of the device also eliminates chasing a soccer ball, increases concentration to kick properly, develops muscle memory faster, and can reduce training time to learn proper kicking techniques with both the left and right legs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of one construction of a training device of the present invention with circular numbering patterns attached to a base.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another construction of a training device of the present invention with cutouts in a platform over a base.

FIG. 4 is another construction of a training device of the present invention with openings in a platform over a base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Furthermore, it is to be understood that features from one embodiment of the invention can be substituted and used in other embodiments of the invention, when suitable. When a structure or mechanism of the invention is described in the context of only one or two specific embodiments, one of skill will appreciate that this structure or mechanism can be used in any other embodiments where suitable, even if that structure or mechanism is not explicitly described in conjunction with those other embodiments herein.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a rotary kicking device 10 with a circular label 200, and numbering patterns 202 and 204 printed on the label 200, attached to the top side of a stationary base 67. The stationary base 67 has pads 25, which are mar free and resist movement when supported on wooden floors and attached to the bottom side 24 of the stationary base 67. A braking mechanism 218 and a platform 68 are centrally located over the stationary base 67, and a fastener 52 couples the platform 68, braking mechanism 218, and stationary base 67 together. The label 200 is exposed on the right 32, left 34, and front 28 sides of the platform 68 such that a player who stands on front side 28 of the platform 68, facing the back side 30, can look down and see the label 200 attached to the stationary base 67.

The circular numbering pattern 202 is spaced equally from the center of the fastener 52, on the outer perimeter of the label 200. The fastening bolt 52 defines the vertical axis of rotation 40 between the circular numbering pattern 202 on the base 67 and the platform 68. The numbering pattern 202 starts with the number one and increases by one, in a counter clockwise direction 37, to the number thirty such that the numbering pattern 202 completely encircles the stationary base 67. A second circular numbering pattern 204, next to and inside of the numbering pattern 202, starts with the number one and increases by one in a clockwise direction, to the number 30 such that the numbering pattern 204 completely encircles the stationary base 67. The numbers one to thirty on label 200 are arbitrary and there could be more or less numbers and higher or lower numbers in the circular patterns 202 and 204.

As shown for example in FIG. 3, when practicing kicking with the right foot 35, the player places his left foot 36 or stationary foot over the fastener 52 at the center of the platform 68. The right foot 35 is placed on the horizontal support surface 225, a distance behind the left foot 36 for the player to keep his balance before the kick. If the platform 68 was larger the right foot 35 could be placed on the platform 68. The placement of the right foot 35 behind the left foot 36 also allows the player to have enough space between the right foot 35 and the soccer ball 12 to swing the right kicking leg forward at the hip while bent at the knee. The proper kicking techniques should be followed during the kick and include: (i) pointing the toe of the kicking foot 35 down; (ii) locking the ankle of the right foot 35, which stabilizes the right foot in the same position as a means to maintain the accuracy for each kick; (iii) lift the right hip up slightly so the right toe does not hit the floor or the top of a large platform 68; and (iv) kick the ball 12 or kicking target with the toe down and the laces 33 of the right foot 35 facing the ball. The force of the kick on the kicking target 12 rotates the platform 68 a short distance around the stationary base 67, in counter clockwise direction 37, with the kickers right foot 35 remaining in contact with the ball during the kicking cycle. A braking mechanism 218 brings the platform 68 to a gradual stop in seconds or even milliseconds. The kicking cycle is defined as beginning when the foot begins swinging to makes contact with the ball 12 and ending when the rotation of the platform 68 stops its rotation relative to the base 67 after the kick has occurred. After the kicking cycle, the player's right foot 35 is removed from the kicking target 12 to get set for the next practice kick or to start kicking with the left foot 36. The player practice kicks with both the left and right legs until he gets familiar how to use the device before measuring the strength of the right foot 35 and left foot 36 kicks.

As shown in FIG. 1, the player, standing on the right side 32 of the platform 68 and kicking with the dominant right foot 35, looks down and sees the letter R or RIGHT FOOT printed on the platform 68. This reminds the player that the pointer 220 and circular numbering pattern 202, next to the R, is to be used to determine rotational travel of the platform 68 and soccer ball 12 for the kicks executed by the right foot 35. The pointer 220 shows the number twenty nine on the numbering pattern 202 before the kick. The player mentally notes the number 29 or a second person can record the number 29, and the player kicks the soccer ball 12. The soccer ball 12 rotates in a counter clockwise direction 37 from the force of the kick, and a braking mechanism stops the platform 68 after a short travel. After the kicking event is completed and the platform 68 comes to a stop, the player removes the right foot 35 from the ball 12 and looks down at the pointer 220 on the right side 32 after the kick and sees the number four, for example. The difference between the number twenty nine before the kick and four after the kick is five units, which can be mentally noted by the player. A second person can record all the measurements to get a more accurate average distance the platform 68 rotates to compare with future kicks by the player. The distance of five the platform 68 rotates can also be compared with the distance other players rotate the platform 68, wherein the distance traveled can be used to gauge the strength of all the players kicks. The player continues repetitive kicking without interruptions to retrieve a kicked soccer ball 12, using proper form, until the right foot 35 finishes practicing with the kicking device 10 and switches to kick with the left foot 36.

To kick with the left foot 36, the right foot 35 is placed over the connecting bolt 52 at the center of the platform 68. The left foot 36 is placed on the horizontal support surface 225, a distance behind the right foot 35 for the player to keep his balance and to use the proper kicking techniques as described previously. The player, standing on the left side 34 of the platform 68 and kicking with the weaker left foot 36, looks down and see the letter L or LEFT FOOT printed on the platform 68. This reminds the player that the pointer 221, next to the L and the circular numbering pattern 204 are to be used to determine the rotational travel of the platform 68 and soccer ball 12 for the left foot 36 kicks. Pointer 221 indicates the starting number twenty, before the kick, on the numbering pattern 204. The player mentally notes the number twenty or a second person can record the number twenty for future records, and the player kicks the soccer ball 12. The soccer ball 12 rotates in a clockwise direction 37 from the force of the kick, and a braking mechanism 218 stops the platform 68 after a short travel. The player removes the left foot 36 from the ball 12 and looks down at the pointer 221 on the left side 34, after the kicking cycle, and sees the number twenty three, for example. The difference between the number twenty, before the kick and twenty three after the kick, is three, which can be mentally noted by the player or recorded by a second person as described previously. Coaches and players can visualize the difference between the rotation created by the force of the right foot kick 35 and left foot 36 kick on the soccer ball. In future kicking practices the weaker leg gets more repetitions, until the distance the platform 68 rotates from the weaker leg kick is the same when compared with the dominant leg, or vastly improved when compared to prior distances from the same left leg.

FIG. 3 shows the platform 68 of the kicking device 10 with cutout 68A exposing the pointer 220 over the numbering pattern 202 on the right side 32 and cutout 68B exposing the pointer 221 over the numbering patter 204 on the left side 34. The cutouts make the pointers and circular numbering patterns easier to see when standing on the platform 68. The cutouts 68A, 68B are useful when the stationary base 67 is smaller than the platform 68, which would then otherwise hide the circular numbering patterns 202 and 204. The determination of leg strength when the soccer ball 12 is kicked with the right 35 and left 36 foot is the same for the construction illustrated in FIG. 3 as the construction described in FIGS. 1-2.

As shown in FIG. 3, soccer ball assemblies 19 are connected to the right 35 and left 36 sides on top of the platform 68 including a ball holder 21, foot protective pad 26, and simulated soccer ball 12. The position of the left foot 36 is shown over bolt 52 on top of the platform 68, and the right foot 35 is shown positioned behind the right foot 35 on the horizontal support surface 225, in a position to practice kick the soccer ball 12 with the right foot 35 as previously described. The kicking device 10 could also have a football attached to one side of the platform 12, which could also be a rectangular shape. The player would use the same actions as described above, except for using proper football place kicking techniques and kick train with only the dominant leg.

FIG. 4 is another construction of the kicking device 10 to show the relationship between the two openings 208, 210, in the platform 68, and the circular numbering patterns 202, 204 located on the stationary base 67. The numbering patterns 202, 204 are shown through the platform 68, which is on top of and larger than the numbering patterns 202, 204. The player, standing on the right side 32 of the platform 68 and kicking with the dominant right foot 35, looks down through the opening 208 on the right side 32 of the platform 68 to see the pointer 220 over the number 1 on the circular numbering pattern 202. The player kicks the soccer ball 12 to determine the kicking strength of the right foot 35 as described earlier. When kicking with the weaker left foot 36 the player, standing on the left side 34 of the platform 68, looks down through the opening 210 on the left side 34 of the platform 68 to see the pointer 221 over the number 23 on the circular numbering pattern 204. The player kicks the ball 12 to determine the kicking strength of the left foot 36 as explained earlier. A single opening 212 is also an option to replace the two openings 210, 211. The pointer 220 is closest to the numbering pattern 202 for determining the strength of a right leg 35 kick, and the pointer 221 is closest to numbering pattern 204 for determining a left leg 36 kick. The strengths of the kicks are determined as described earlier.

The label 200, numbering patterns 202, 204, pointers, 220, 221, cutouts 68A, 68B, and openings 208, 210, 212 represent various possible means for measuring kicking force. Other means for measuring kicking force are possible including various other constructions including mechanical and electrical devices for measuring the same. One electrical device, for example, could utilize an encoder for measuring the rotation of the platform 67 relative to the base 68. An encoder is an electromechanical device that can measure motion or position. Most encoders use optical sensors to provide electrical signals in the form of pulse trains, which can, in turn, be translated into motion, direction, or position. The encoder could also utilize a display screen that could display the distance the platform 67 rotated relative to the base 68. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A training device for a person to practice kicking, the training device comprising: a stationary base configured to be supported on a supporting surface disposed below the base and configured to remain stationary against the supporting surface, a platform disposed above the base and rotatably coupled to the base about a rotation axis, wherein the platform is configured to support a person on a top side of the platform; a kicking target coupled to the platform, spaced from the rotation axis, and disposed on the top side of the platform; wherein the platform and person both rotate in a direction about the rotation axis relative to the base after the person applies a kicking force to the kicking target; and a means for measuring the kicking force.
 2. The training device of claim 1, wherein the means for measuring the kicking force includes at least one numbering pattern fixed relative to the base.
 3. The training device of claim 2, wherein the platform includes a pointer to align with the numbering pattern.
 4. The training device of claim 2, wherein the platform includes a cutout to expose the numbering pattern in the upward direction through the platform.
 5. The training device of claim 2, wherein the platform includes an opening to expose the numbering patter in the upward direction through the platform.
 6. The training device of claim 2, wherein the numbering pattern includes a sequential series of numbers.
 7. The training device of claim 1, further comprising an additional kicking target coupled to the platform, spaced from the rotation axis in a direction opposite to the kicking target, and disposed on the top side of the platform; wherein the platform and person both rotate about the rotation axis in an opposite direction relative to the base after the person applies an subsequent kicking force to the additional kicking target; and a means for measuring the subsequent kicking force.
 8. The training device of claim 7, wherein the means for measuring the kicking force and the subsequent kicking force include two separate numbering patterns fixed relative to the base.
 9. The training device of claim 8, wherein each of the two separate number patterns includes a sequential series of numbers arranged in ascending order in opposite directions.
 10. The training device of claim 9, wherein the platform includes two pointers, each of which is positioned to align with one of the two separate numbering patterns.
 11. The training device of claim 9, wherein the platform includes two cutouts, each of which is positioned to expose one of the two separate numbering patterns in the upward direction through the platform.
 12. The training device of claim 9, wherein the platform includes an opening to expose both of the two separate numbering patterns in the upward direction through the platform.
 13. The training device of claim 9, wherein the platform includes two openings, each of which is positioned to expose one of the two separate numbering patterns in the upward direction through the platform.
 14. A method of practicing kicking, the method comprising: supporting a platform on a supporting surface; supporting a person on a top surface of the platform; planting a foot of the person on a contact point of the platform; applying a kicking force with a non-planted foot of the person to a kicking target coupled to the platform and disposed on the top side of the platform; rotating with the kicking force the platform and person in a direction about a rotation axis passing through the contact point; and measuring the kicking force.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: maintaining the non-planted foot in contact with the kicking target throughout the rotation of the platform.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: planting an opposite foot of the person on the contact point of the platform; applying a subsequent kicking force with an opposite non-planted foot of the person to an additional kicking target coupled to the platform and disposed on the top side of the platform; rotating with the subsequent kicking force the platform and person in an opposite direction about the rotation axis; and measuring the subsequent kicking force.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: aligning a pointer of the platform onto a numbering pattern to measuring the kicking force.
 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: exposing upwardly a numbering pattern through a hole or a cutout in the platform to measure the kicking force. 